On the 26th of November we tasted the wines of Strandveld, with the lovely Sunette Du Rand Stanton presenting. Sunette is a good friend of ours and her tastings are informative, and filled with lovely wines. We always look forward to seeing her and she always hosts amazing tastings! The following is the order we tasted the wines in, the comments of the tasters and the average scores.
Skaamgesiggie Méthode Cap Classique Rose NV (100% Pinot Noir)
Colour- light copper to onion skin, fine mousse. Nose- meaty, cheese, savoury, orange, red cherry, strawberry, brioche. Palate- crisp acidity, sour pink apples, savoury, honey, toast, brioche, strawberry.
Score- 16.55.
2. First Sightings Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Colour- light green. Nose- nettle, asparagus, grassy, green bell pepper. Palate- crisp acidity, green bell pepper, apples, grassy, lively minerality, melons, asparagus.
Score- 16.23.
3. Pofadderbos Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Colour- light green. Nose- green asparagus, green pea, lanolin, black currant, green melon, passion fruit, citrus, Bovril. Palate- crisp acidity, grassy, citrus, green pea, slightly oily, melon, asparagus.
Score- 16.92.
4. Grenache Noir 2022
Colour- light red, with no gradation to the rim. Nose- citrus, caramel, black and red cherry, chocolate, almond, brandy. Palate- crisp acidity, firm tannins, nuts, almonds, cedar, tobacco, spice, caramel, black cherry and berry, red berry finish.
Score- 17.08.
5. Viognier 2023
Colour- light green, with a golden rim. Nose- sultana raisin, citrus, vanilla, honey, dried hay, whole fruit apricots, dried fig. Palate- crisp acidity, lanolin, honey, toast, grapefruit, peach, citrus, pineapple.
Score- 16.54.
6. First Sightings Shiraz 2020 (95% Shiraz, 5% Grenache)
Colour- dark red, with almost no gradation to the rim. Nose- mushroom, sundried tomatoes, savoury, smoke, barnyard, spice, toffee, red cherry. Palate- crisp acidity, soft tannins, cedar, spice, plums, black cherry and berry, black pepper, sour cherry finish.
Score- 16.77.
7. Navigator Red Blend 2020 (Co-ferment of 73% Shiraz, 15% Grenache Noir, 6% Mourvèdre, 6% Viognier)
Colour- Inky dark purple-red, with no gradation to a pink rim. Nose- smoke, fynbos, spice, liquorice, citrus, plum, black currant and cherry. Palate- crisp acidity, firm tannins, cedar, smoked game meat, savoury, dark plums, black cherry and currants that linger full to the finish.
Score- 18.00 (tied 4th best wine for the year with the De Grendel 2017 Shiraz, out of 283 wines tasted).
What a tasting, with the two First Sightings wines sporting new labels, and amazing value for money! The Navigator showing awesome quality and scoring 18.00, the top wine of the evening, 4th best for the year. The Grenache is an amazing wine and was second in the tasting, with the Pofadderbos Sauvignon Blanc in third place. Really great to taste the two Sauvignon Blanc side by side too. Big thank you to Sunette, for an amazing presentation and bringing those lovely wines for us to taste. Also allowing us to get the two First sighting wines at a fantastic price too. Thanks so much Sunette!
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